Mark Campbell was born in Philadelphia, PA, the fourth Campbell child in what his parents originally conceived as a three-child family (oops!). Though his siblings expressed their doubts about him early, Mark proved himself a true Philadelphian with his first spoken word: “Schuylkill,” which is of course, one of two rivers running through Philadelphia.

Sensing the youngest Campbell’s creative side, Mark’s sister Eileen introduced him to photography and video at the age of ten. While intrigued, Mark kept his creative side quiet for the next few years while he dominated the Region 12 CYO basketball league.

Mark’s creativity led him to Saint Joseph’s University, where he graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems and, in the process, discovered another lifelong love–comedy. Although his friends and family supported his new comedic desires, they suggested he move to a place where people might laugh at his jokes. In 2001, Mark left Philadelphia for Chicago, IL.

He quickly enrolled in classes at The Second City and iO (formally Improv Olympic), where he performed with the long-form improv troupe, Maude. Over the years, Mark has performed weekly improv stints with Maude at iO while gracing various stages around the city, including Chicago’s annual comedy festival, Sketchfest, with the sketch comedy troupe True Pilsner.

Between rehearsals, performances, and working as the in-house photographer and videographer of Steppenwolf Theatre, Mark managed to travel across the country to visit Burning Man, completed a 100-mile bike ride (and got engaged at the finish line), and skydived (twice!). And although it may seem like he was running from the law, Mark instead, without quite knowing, was feeding his passion for capturing great moments.

In December of 2008, he founded Mark Campbell Creative to pursue his talents in photography and video.

Mark lives with his wife Abby–his favorite subject–and Clementine, a foxhound/coonhound mix. He’s currently learning Spanish in hopes that he’ll one day be able to translate “Schuylkill.”